Fallen
Relief print on BFK paper
48 in x 30 in
2021
The printmaking depicts a recurring anxiety dream that I experience when feeling overwhelmed. The dream typically begins with me standing in a dark, shadowy room, where visibility is limited. As I start to feel anxious, I search for an exit, only to realize that there is no escape. Suddenly, the room starts to warp and twist, expanding into an endless void. Massive celestial bodies, like comets and planets, collide and explode around me, while whale skeletons float aimlessly in the air. I feel powerless and insignificant in the face of this chaos. Despite the dream's illogical nature, I find myself drawn to its surreal imagery and try to capture it on paper, exploring the interplay between my dreams and art.
Moonset
Relief print on BFK paper
18 in x 24 in
2021
The original photo reference for this print was taken in Chicago, where I spent my first year of college. As someone who had spent most of their life in the southern part of the country, the cold and windy weather in Chicago left a strong impression on me. This print aims to capture the mood of a winter morning when the city is still quiet. The setting moon and the sober sunlight shining on the flying birds evoke a sense of loneliness for a single student beginning a new stage of life in an unfamiliar environment.
Fallen - Sunk
Relief print on BFK paper
22 in x 28 in
2021
The print depicts a recurring anxiety dream I have when feeling pressured. In this dream, I fall into the water and slowly drown, eventually transforming into a rotting whale. The natural process of whale fall occurs when whales die and sink to the ocean floor at depths greater than 1000 meters, creating complex ecosystems that sustain deep-sea organisms for decades. Understanding this phenomenon brings me a sense of relief during these anxious moments, allowing me to feel calm instead of panicked.
Fallen - Amygdala
oil print on Japanese paper
18 in x 12 in
2021
The printmaking depicts a scene from a recurring anxiety dream that I experience when feeling pressured. In the dream, I often find myself in a plaza, surrounded by turrets and people. One individual, in particular, stands at the edge of the plaza, fixated on one of the turrets. Though I see nothing remarkable about the turret, a spider-like creature suddenly appears and scurries up the turret, staring back at the person with an intense ferocity. Filled with terror, I yell at the person to move away, which draws the creature's attention towards me. This is usually the point where I wake up from the dream. Although dreams may not make sense, I find that they can inspire art in the same way. The irrationality of my dreams fascinates me and compels me to explore their potential through artistic expression.